Hanjin Group’s low-cost carriers Jin Air, Air Busan and Air Seoul will merge into a single airline under the Jin Air name, with launch targeted for 17 March 2027. The combined carrier is set to absorb the three airlines’ aircraft, routes, assets, liabilities and employees, creating South Korea’s largest low-cost operator by fleet size once shareholder and regulatory approvals are completed.
The three carriers signed a merger agreement in August, with the current brand names of Air Busan and Air Seoul due to disappear on the merger date. Jin Air is expected to take over their operating rights and legal status, while the integration is being aligned with wider restructuring across the Hanjin and Korean Air–Asiana group structure.
A shareholder vote is expected in December, after which the plan still needs regulatory clearance and an air operator certificate process before it can proceed. The merger ratio disclosed for the transaction places Jin Air at 1, Air Busan at 0.2862684 and Air Seoul at 0.7501939. The three airlines are also preparing to unify reservation, ticketing, mobile and airport check-in systems under the Jin Air brand.